The Android/Cell saga accomplishes what all stories should strive for. The story plays out the way it does because of choices the characters make, not because the plot demands it.
The entire saga could have been avoided if ANY of the Z fighters took Bulma up on her idea to wish to find Doctor gero and then kill but no, peeps wanted to fight the androids. And the rest of the story is like this.
When Krillin destroys the thing that could make 18 self destruct, thus destroying the thing that could save the world, the audience isn’t “ugh this is stupid,” no. Instead it’s “Krillin you dumbass!”
Same when vegeta decided to let Cell absorb 18 to see how strong he could get, Trunks letting vegeta fight Cell first, Goku giving Cell a sensu bean, Gohan wanting to torture Cell instead of finishing him off, etc. The arc is filled with this.
Hubris is a big theme of the Android and Cell sagas and it’s just such a treat because of all the cool character stuff that happens. Characters go from getting consumed by their arrogance to humbled over and over. A lot of the time in the same fight.
It’s just so neat to watch unfold. Do I have nostalgia bias? Maybe. But I wanted to throw some love at the Android and Cell sagas since I feel like they’re misunderstood.